Norton Green Village | About the 'grayn
“it comprehends an extensive territory of rude & hilly ground, measuring 3,800 acres, within which are many good dairy & mixed farms, the greater portion is bleak & barren”
Norton in the Moors described by John Ward in his book; ‘History of the County Borough of Stoke on Trent - 1842’
First Village on The River Trent
Norton Green or as locals refer to the village as "the 'Grayn" or "Happy Valley", is a small friendly village in the Parish of Norton le Moors.
Nestled in the Trent Valley at the Head of the Trent, Norton Green is the first village on the River Trent and is surrounded by some of the most interesting and beautiful countryside in the Staffordshire County, all of which is accessible by a network of ancient footpaths that criss - cross the village. The River Trent flows through the heart of the village ... Read More
Coursing its way from Biddulph Moor down through the Trent Valley and into the heart of the village via the double arched Trent Bridge circa 1777. The Trent runs parallel with the Caldon canal through Heakley Marshes as they both then exit the village heading toward Milton, Hanley and Stoke.
Over the years the village has suffered flooding from the Trent and the last serious incidence was back in 1987... View Pictures
In December 2007 with the aid of Lottery Funding we were able to publish our first book about the village called;
“Memories of Norton Green — The First Village on the River Trent ”
... Read More
We had a fantastic response to the book which is free of charge, a few copies are still available.
For info on how to get your copy please email … Site Editor
Happy Valley
Long hot Summers spent playing in the 'Ringle', and mucking about in the Canal, 'bull-noggin' in the brookes and fetching eggs from the local farmers.
Norton Green was known as "happy valley" and nowadays it's a shadow of it's former self since the closure of our School back in the early 80's'.
Since then the village has seen closures of our Post Office, 'Up the Vale' Paper Shop, Grocers, Chippies, Pubs and we even had our own Petrol Station at one time! Now our only pub left in the village is the Foaming Quart.
Foaming Quart Pub c.1867
A legendary Pub in its own right, The Foaming Quart built in 1867, once owned by Alec Hancock, father of the once famous Maureen Flowers, who was British Ladies Darts Champion, is now under new management ... view pictures
The Foaming Quart recently refurbished and now includes a delightful beer garden, still serves the village the finest of Cask ales and hospitality just as it did over 140 years ago!
Norton Greeners
But most definitely Norton Green is about the people, it's always been about the local residents who shaped and lived in the village and kept life going. Nowadays most Norton Greener's are proud to be associated with the village and still keep a tight knit community feeling with close neighbourly relations and everybody seems to know everyone and look out for one and another.
These values we are told are rapidly disappearing in the modern world, but for us they are just another part of village life.
Caldon Canal
The Caldon Canal takes a more slower and tranquil pace on the outskirts of the village passing Heakley Hall Farm, which is built on a 'Moated' site and is listed as a monument.
Through the summer months there is a steady flow of holiday makers who use this waterway and are always happy to wave from their colorful barges to the passing walker who use the tow - path to access the open countryside.
Norton Green Branch Arm circa 1778 was built to accomodate the growing need for transportation of goods between local Industries including Coal, Pottery Wares and other raw materials … Read Moretop
Ancient Highway
Endon Road, (formerly Leek Road the ancient highway) makes its way through the village (B5051) and has always been an important highway in the district. Before the 'Turnpike' Leek New Road was built, it is said that pack horses would toil along these dusty roads on there way to market between the known Market towns of Newcastle, Leek & Burslem. Today Endon Road is still a busy highway through the village. top
Industrial Revolution
The village its self was really borne through the industrial revolution that also came to the Norton Green by the Cauldon canal opening in 1778, when profiteering entrepreneurs took advantage of the natural resources of water, coal, iron, clay and sand which lay in the lands.
Copes Iron Foundry and Cockshead Colliery Co provided employment and housing for the village … Read More top
Parish Records
Parish Records are under the Lichfield Diocese & are also recorded under Leek Union & Stoke on Trent Councils, so for anyone tracing their family history, existing records are known to be at the Library archives of The William Salt Library, Stafford Library, Leek & Hanley Libraries.
Information is also available online like Plea Rolls, Domes Day Book, etc. Some excellent references are available on our Web Links section … Read More top
Green Belt
With a little research you can still see that the landscape around the village is a result of our industrial heritage and has been unchanged for the last two centuries. We should all be looking around at our surrounding history as it gives us a better understanding of what fits into the area when planning future projects and ideas that will be sympathetic to our environment.
From a Child's point of view we are lucky to have three open 'Greens' in the heart of the village that are intersected by the Trent and allow the youngsters to enjoy growing up close to nature with the timeless joys of paddling, fishing, making camps, as well as all the modem pastimes.
Living in a Green Belt area also gives us some reassurance that the area won't change much in the future and shouldn't be subjected to sweeping changes that are happening around the City, where our industrial past is been quickly replaced with the demand for new homes.
There is also many other contributing factors like the close proximity of the City centre with all its amenities, also we enjoy relatively low crime and vandalism rates that blight other areas. top
Residents Association
Norton Green Village has an active Residents Association that is committed to keeping the identity of the village intact and regularly holds community events enabling residents to meet in a social capacity.
Our Annual Funday, Bonfire and Firework display events were eagerly awaited and well attended.
If you would like to contact Norton Green Residents Association regarding any village issue … Email Us top
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